Movie Jibber-Jabber, Vol. 1: Star Wars, Warcraft, Indy PopCon
Movie Jibber-Jabber is The Film Yap's new digest column – your one-stop week-in-review of film news and commentary, as well as a preview of what we have to look forward to over the next few weeks.
Let's Jabber.
'Star Wars: Episode VIII' Principal Photography is Almost Complete
We won't be seeing “Episode VIII” until December 2017, but director Rian Johnson has announced that principal photography is almost complete. This means the much-awaited sequel is looking at about a year-and-a-half of post-production work, longer than the year given to “The Force Awakens.” Good. I have a lot of hope for "Episode VIII." "The Force Awakens" is a movie I'm still conflicted on, caught between love for the characters and disappointment with the story and editing. Here's to hoping Johnson (who previously directed “Brick” and “Looper”) can pull off a stellar entry in the franchise.
To make you more excited: We learned the title of “The Force Awakens” quickly after filming completed; my money is on a final title for “Episode VIII” being revealed at Star Wars Celebration or San Diego Comic Con in July.
http://rcjohnso.tumblr.com/post/145623121700/in-the-home-stretch
Adam McKay and Jennifer Lawrence May Team Up:
“The Big Short” was one of my favorite movies last year; I thought Adam McKay did a brilliant job translating a complex problem into an entertaining, informative movie. Rumor has it he'll be teaming up with Jennifer Lawrence, this time to make a biopic about Elizabeth Holmes, founder of the medical company Theranos and one of the richest women in the world given the valuation of her company, of which she owns 50%. Last October, however, it was determined that the blood testing equipment sold by Theranos was inaccurate; this has caused her net worth and reputation to suffer. Regardless of how the real-life events turn out, this is the kind of role in which Lawrence shines. Last year's “Joy” wasn't a great movie, but it was a solid one, and Lawrence's turn as QVC star Joy Mangano was the main attraction. I'm looking forward to this one.
http://variety.com/2016/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-adam-mckay-medical-movie-1201792504/
Review: 'Warcraft'
"Warcraft" is a unique curiosity, one worth lauding for its successes rather than demeaning it for its failures. A tribe of orcs, a war-based culture of massive green monsters, escapes its dying home and ends up in the kingdom of Azeroth, a world where all kinds of fantasy creatures dwell in peace (led by humans, of course). The orcs' intrusion into the world is part of an evil scheme, and soon everyone is stabbing each other. The story in “Warcraft” is barely coherent and quickly forgotten, but to its great credit the orcs are more than just monsters. They are, in fact, the most human aspect of the movie, thanks to groundbreaking motion-capture technology. The internal political struggle between Durotan (Toby Kebbell) and warlock orc Gul'Dan (Daniel Wu) is never dull; hell, I'm going to say it: it's even sometimes captivating.
If only the rest of the movie could have managed to be as emotionally resonant. Most of the story, particularly anything involving Lothar (Travis Fimmel), plays like a checklist of plot points, and the ending is such a dud that it leaves a pit in your stomach. Still, the beginning of the movie is a virtual tour of Azeroth, which, when paired with 3D, manages to capture a sense of scale often missing from epic fantasy films. It's the kind of feeling more frequently found in games like “World of Warcraft” or “Skyrim,” fully realized and straight-faced fantasy worlds full of potential. Azeroth feels inhabited, warm, truly welcoming. If a sequel is made and manages to mix a coherent narrative with all of the raw material pioneered by director / writer Duncan Jones and his team at ILM, it could be a redefining moment in fantasy cinema.
What Local Critics are Saying...
A contributor has choice words about “Now You See Me 2,” and it isn't pretty.
Sam Watermeier calls Popstar “radiation therapy for the cancer killing Pop Music” over at Nuvo
Indianapolis Film Happenings June 10– 12
Indy Pride Movie Night showing of 'Kiss Me Kate.'
The Indianapolis Historical Society
June 10 | 7:30 p.m, movie starts at 9 p.m.
http://www.circlecityinpride.org/event/movie-night/
Summer Nights: 'Adventures in Babysitting' / 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'
Indianapolis Museum of Art
June 10 | Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
http://www.imamuseum.org/film/eighties-adventure-double-feature
Midnight Madness: 'The Warriors'
Landmark Keystone Art Cinema
June 10 & 11 | Midnight
https://www.landmarktheatres.com/Midnights/Keystone_mid_2016_0603_0723_Web.pdf
'Food First' Premiere Screening at Tyner Pond Farm (limited tickets available)
Tyner Pond Farm - 7408 East 200 South, Greenfield, IN 46140
June 11 | 5 to 8 p.m.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-first-premiere-screening-at-tyner-pond-farm-tickets-24964188560
Indy Pop Con
Indy Pop Con is next weekend, June 17-19, and your Yap team will be there to provide coverage. As always, we humbly submit our guide to con-going as a reminder for the uninitiated.
In the spirit of helping con-goers plan ahead, here are a few of the events to be aware of at Pop Con this year.
Esteemed director Kevin Smith will be hosting a live “Late Night with Kevin Smith.” This includes two ticketed events on the night of Saturday, June 18.
The premiere of Smith's newest film, “Yoga Hosers,” will be at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Afterwards, Smith and co-host Marc Bernardin will be hosting a live recording of their podcast “Fatman on Batman.” Tickets are $15.
Tickets for priority seating for the two events together will be $30.
Karen Gillen of “Doctor Who,” “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Oculus” fame will be hosting a live Q&A session on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Screenings will be held throughout the weekend; you can find a full list here.
As always, leave your own Jabber in the comments! See you next week.